towpath

[ toh-path, -pahth ]

/ ˈtoʊˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

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noun, plural tow·paths

[toh-pathz, -pahthz, -paths, -pahths]. /ˈtoʊˌpæðz, -ˌpɑðz, -ˌpæθs, -ˌpɑθs/.

a path along the bank of a canal or river, for use in towing boats.

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Origin of towpath

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; tow¹ + path

Words nearby towpath

townspeople, Townsville, townswoman, town talk, townwear, towpath, towrope, towsack, towser, Towson, tow truck

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use towpath in a sentence

Those interested in American history will flip for Washington Crossing Historic Park and the Old Barracks Museum, while nature lovers should bring their bikes for a ride along the D&R Canal towpath, now a paved multi-use trail along the water’s edge.
The Best Scenic Drive in Every State|eriley|August 26, 2021|Outside Online
The towpaths that run alongside the canals were once used by horses and teams of men to pull canal boats loaded with coal, foodstuff and raw materials, but were quickly abandoned once railways were built.
Fun: A River Runs Through It|Sean Culligan|June 4, 2021|Ozy
Your moderate strength of a mere everyday physical education gives you the sufficient mastery of the towpath.
Ceres' Runaway|Alice Meynell
The mules took fright, got into a regular mixup, broke the harness, and went up the towpath at a two-forty gait.
Ox-Team Days on the Oregon Trail|Ezra Meeker

The oats was brought, and the Juke, boldly mountin the jibpoop, throwed them onto the towpath.
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward|Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)
We tried towing, with a line along the towpath, and the boat banged against the bank constantly.
The houseboat book|William F. Waugh
Tony and I and the coal-cart will await you on this spot, at the corner of the towpath on Sunday evening at nine o'clock.
El Dorado|Baroness Orczy

British Dictionary definitions for towpath

towpath

/ (ˈtəʊˌpɑːθ) /

noun

a path beside a canal or river, used by people or animals towing boatsAlso called: towing path

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012